Today’s question is in response to the news about Rosa Parks. She was not a loud aggressive person, but her simple refusal to not give up her seat inspired a country to fight for civil rights. Although the issues have changed since that time, our county still has problems.

Do you think that individuals today can have the same type of influence as Rosa Parks had?

I would think that in today's world of CNN, FOXnews, CNBC, this would be difficult to do but not impossible. National news is now intensley competitive, I would have a feeling that boycotts, civil disobedience, and strikes do not have the same effect as they used to (unless they lead into full scale violence as in Toledo).

If someone does something similar to what Rosa Parks did, it would be popular. Popular until the new season of Laguna Beach--The real Orange County begins or whenever the new Fear duJour comes onto our news-saturated society.

It's a real shame...

You get all squeezed up inside/Like the days were carved in stone/You get all wired up inside/And it's bad to be alone

You can go out, you can take a ride/And when you get out on your own/You get all smoothed out inside/And it's good to be alone
-Peart

There are potential Rosa Parks waiting in the wings as we speak, but I'd have to agree with what others have said. The media already decides what stories run and what angle gets played. Nowadays, if MLK jr. were alive and staged some civil disobedience, the networks would briefly mention the event and spend the rest of their air time dwelling on his affairs....
We have no heroes anymore.

People will miss that it once meant something to be Southern or Midwestern. It doesn't mean much now, except for the climate. The question, “Where are you from?” doesn't lead to anything odd or interesting. They live somewhere near a Gap store, and what else do you need to know? - Garrison Keillor

Honestly I think our culture has changed in the last 50 years, and we as a nation just don't respect or even listen to people who take quiet, principled positions on matters. I question whether Martin Luther King, Jr. would be successful in today's world -- not because he was quiet (he wasn't), but because everyone is so cynical about motives and would not accept a position based on moral principle.

EDIT:
^^^Uh, yes, Maister did just say the same thing, a scant mili-second before I was able to.

I think that there are people that can be the "Rosa Parks" of their cause. Maybe the Mayor of San Fransisco(sp?) for gay rights. He married same sex couples despite laws against it. I just don't think that removed enough from the issue yet... at the point that it is legal all over... despite folks objections it will soon happen and he will be a individual that get some credit and i am sure there are others but i used him as example.

For her time, Rosa Parks became famous because she challenged what was then unthinkable. As earthquakes continually relieve the stress of the tectonic plates, there is always some issue bubbling near the surface, ripe for reform. Events conspire over time to leave a trail of tinder for the entrepreneurs of social change. Timing is crucial to whether they end up getting snuffed out, or igniting a political firestorm. So no, I don't doubt that individuals today can have the same influence that Rosa Parks had. Alfred Kinsey was a contemporary who helped spark the sexual revolution and the modern wave of feminism. Cindy Sheehan is a recent, albeit lesser example. I could think of more.

Last edited by dobopoq; 25 Oct 2005 at 4:48 PM.

"The current American way of life is founded not just on motor transportation but on the religion of the motorcar, and the sacrifices that people are prepared to make for this religion stand outside the realm of rational criticism." -Lewis Mumford

Matthew Shepherd's mom (her first name escapes me at the moment) is doing her bit for greater acceptance of gays in society. Given the hostile reception she regularly gets from the hate church The Westboro Baptist Church, I would say she is a very brave and resolute woman.

"I am very good at reading women, but I get into trouble for using the Braille method."

As best as I understand it (I was not alive) Rosa Parks just provided the spark to the already swelling anger. So yes I think that someone could accomplish this today but there would have to be the groundswell already there, and as mentioned by others - people are generally more interested in watching Tv than actually making changes.

Civil Rights was the jugarnaut issue of it's time... the elephant in the bedroom of our nation. What issue has that status now? I can't think of any? This doesn't mean that racism, sexism, sexual orientationism, corruption, organized crime and these other things aren't still out there, but what is the one major injustice that people are ignoring? I can't think of one? Perhaps not having a television for the last 4 years has screwed with my mind.

"And all this terrible change had come about because he had ceased to believe himself and had taken to believing others. " - Leo Tolstoy